Petra

Petra is one of the most successful Christian rock bands ever, a veritable institution whose name (taken from the Greek word for "rock") has come to reflect not only their music, but their staying power as well, even in spite of Christian radio's reluctance to program their brand of loud, slick arena rock. Petra was formed in 1972 by guitarist Bob Hartman, who was attending the Christian Training Center in Fort Wayne, IN at the time; he recruited several fellow students -- guitarist/vocalist Greg Hough, bassist John DeGroff, and drummer Bill Glover -- to his cause, and the group began playing around the Fort Wayne area with backing from their school. Petra encountered early resistance to the very idea of Christian rock from many local churches, who held that the rock & roll sound was inherently evil; nevertheless, the group proved popular with younger Christians, and was signed to the Word Records subsidiary Myrrh in 1973. Their self-titled debut was released in 1974, and was more similar to the California country-rock of the Eagles than to the arena rock that would dominate most of their career. The follow-up, Come and Join Us, did not appear until 1977, but it featured strong contributions from lead vocalist Greg Volz, as well as a harder-rocking sound.

Petra's lineup fluctuated over the next several years; in spite of the instability, they managed to record their first breakthrough effort, Washes Whiter Than, in 1979, which featured the Christian radio hit "Why Should the Father Bother." When the dust finally settled, the group consisted of Hartman, Volz, keyboardist John Slick, bassist Mark Kelly, and drummer Louie Weaver. The albums Never Say Die (1981), More Power to Ya (1982), and Not of This World (1983) did much to popularize the group, and in 1984, they were rewarded with a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Gospel Group and two Dove Award nominations (the first of many). For 1985's Beat the System, ex-Joe English Band keyboardist John Lawry replaced Slick. In 1986, Greg Volz left Petra for a solo career, and former Head East singer John Schlitt assumed vocal duties for Back to the Street. 1987's This Means War marked a successful transition to a less polished brand of rock & roll. Subsequent efforts, like 1988's On Fire!, which debuted bassist Ronny Cates, brandished a heavier guitar onslaught in the wake of Stryper's success as a Christian metal band, although Petra never neglected their trademark lush ballads. Petra has soldiered on through the '90s and into the 2000s with few signs of slowing down. 1995 saw Lawry replaced by Jim Cooper, and the addition of guitarist David J. Lichens. Subsequent efforts include 1998's God Fixation and 2000's Double Take. ~ Steve Huey

I Remember the Late Senator Clementa Pinckney! He took me to the desk at the State House during 1993 a Session! He was one of the Head Pages back then. This was during my time as an undergraduate student at Benedict College, A Historically Black College.

I remember seeing PETRA at a concert in Charleston, SC. Glenn Welch was with me and Glenn Welch, my high school friend, raised his hands and gave his life to Christ! I was a volunteer counselor from Abundant Life Church 1945 Bees Ferry Road charleston, SC!!!-John Thomas N BoykinIIILegalShield Associate; HRMC Regional Manager; Christian Author; Inventor.

This ministry in the form of a band helped me thru my time in the US Army and a broken engagement. I am forever grateful for Petra and the Lord for carrying my thru!!

3 months ago

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fly.home.now

Been following Petra since 1982. My favourite band. After missing out on seeing them live around 1985/86 as they canceled their concert to return to USA for a Dove award, I finally got to see them in 2014 in Toowoomba Australia.

They rocked this song when I saw the Unseen Power concert in 1991 and been listening to them since Not of this World. I committed my life to Christ through that album. Thank you and continued success to those still proclaiming the word of the Lord through music. God bless you!

I started listening to this awesome group of talented musicians who were anointed by the Lord; in 1981. There members might have changed, but the message was the same. Didn't compromise their content, and stayed true to the scriptures. When I listen to their earlier albums, I am brought back to the memories of that era. My our precious Lord Jesus continue using them to reach those who wouldn't enter a church, or listen to a preacher.Thanks for decades of memory!!

I am so grateful to the Lord Jesus for these men, especially Bob Hartman, whose lyrics remained faithful to Scripture in the same line as the great hymns of the faith. Each song was a sermon and food for the listener from Scripture. There will be much treasure in Glory for these men who built Christians in spite of the rejection of the religious authorities. Thank you Petra and thank you, Lord, for Petra.

Legends. Hasn't been a band before and will not be a band after. They were not only musically deep but you knew they put their heart into spreading the good news of Jesus through their musical talents.

1 year ago

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thegreatdestroyery2k

I grew up listening to Petra, and after returning to the Lord they are still my favorite Christian group. Thank the Lord they were able to show how to live a Jesus-centered life while creating music for Him.

Listening to Petra sing "I Need to Hear from You." Just one word from the creator of all, to little old me, is all it takes to lift us. Even if he gently tells us we were wrong! – So much better than being in the dark!

In the early 80's as a teenager I loved hard rock but had no outlet and worse I was being taught rock was only evil. I heard Petra and was steadied in Christ during some very tough years. When I hear their songs today they bring tears as I am reminded of how God used them to speak love and encouragement into my life. To this day they are still one of my favorites.

one of my all time favorites from the 70's when i first came across contemporary christian. the coloring song and praise ye the Lord still get me going!!!

2 years ago

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christopher.stmarie

For me the song that epitomizes my Christian walk and the song that brought to me the brutal realization of the suffering Christ endured for me a sinner is It Is Finished. The center piece of Christian Faith. Our battle with sin ended when Christ died for us. When I truly believed in this truth and turned to Him and His ressurection power my life truly became transformed. Thank you Petra.

First concert i was allowed to go too. Randy Stonehill opened for them. There is no other band that can compare with Petra. Faithful to the word of God. Faithful to giving God the praise. The favor of God was with them. Thank you Yahweh for the great music.

Ages ago (1986,) I wandered into a Fred Meyer's in Newport, Oregon and started browsing through cassettes. Located at the very, very bottom of one set of shelves in the darkest corner of the music department, I pulled out a clear plastic box that was covered in the dust of what must have been twelve years. I cleaned it off and gazed upon the cover art, the letters P E T R A as if carved into the stone face of a cliff. I made the decision to buy that tape, and the rest, as they say, is history...